A runway must have approach lights (white) and edge and end lights (red) for passengers’ safety. Similarly, electricians also install Runway threshold lights (white) to illuminate the entire section for all pilots for safe aircraft landing.
Features of Good Runway Threshold Lights
Here are the main characteristics that one must check when ordering threshold lights.
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Wattage
Airport electricians recommend threshold lights with an average wattage of 2 to 5 watts each. Recall, that the higher the wattage, the higher the power consumed, resulting in a higher monthly bill.
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Flashing capabilities
Most threshold lights blink green to alert pilots where the runway ends so they can make the necessary adjustment. Usually, experts install these lights from one part of the runway end to the other.
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LED technology
Experts recommend threshold lights with good LED technology to ensure they do not heat up. Ordinary lights may trigger a fire outbreak as jet fuel is highly flammable.
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Omnidirectional
These lights stand out as they are omnidirectional to ensure they light close to 300 degrees. Therefore, they also contribute to the overall light of the airport, particularly at night.
What’s the Significance of Installing Runway Threshold Lights?
Runway lights are expensive, but airports install them for the following purpose.
1. Safety
Pilots rely on airport runway lights to make proper judgment when landing or flying an airplane. Ordinarily, runways have an approximate length of 1600 to 1800 meters to accommodate small and large aircraft.
2. They help to reduce accidents.
Unfortunately, some travelers may linger along the runway, oblivious to the danger. Good lighting helps airport attendants to clear this section, especially when an airplane is about to land or fly.
3. Illuminates runway marks
Another advantage of lighting this section is to light up all runway markings. Therefore, the captain can see where the runway ends and make the necessary adjustment to the airspeed.
4. To prevent crime
Some criminals may target travelers while they disembark the plane. Thankfully, airports install lights in all their runways to avert any criminal activity within this section. Additionally, they employ several security officers to man all airport sections.
5. Enhances a runway intersection’s conspicuity
These runway lights also make this intersection more visible from a distance for safety reasons.
Closing Remarks
Airports must set a budget for runway threshold lights and CCTV cameras to warrant traveler’s safety. Each side of a runway can have more than 18 lighting poles plus end lights.
